Devonshire Oct to Dec 17

continued...
Emma’s
Outdoor
Adventures
by Emma Moore
The Old Vet’nary
continued from page 87
A life on the road
est
ore
ean
the
rst
yak
by
yak
the
ing
elp
ter
Despite our false start we were
soon well away, striding through
the crashing waves and loving
every minute of our new exhilarating
sport, it didn’t take us
long to fall in love with our little
boats and the amazing feeling
that came with being completely
free and at one with the incredibly
powerful sea.
Paddling strong we decided
to head on a bit further, so
we cruised past Ness Cove in
search of Smugglers Cove the
next secluded beach along, only
accessible at low tide or via a boat.
A perfect spot to have a little rest
and some well-earned lunch.
We then spent a good couple of
hours playing around in the sea
before catching the tide in and
heading home. We’ve come away
with not only an amazing day
exploring but also gaining a huge
respect for the sea and admiration
of the beautiful coastlines we have
all around us.
Until next time...
Emma
it came to vacations, there was
no rest for vet students. We had
to “see practice” somewhere
and produce a written record of
interesting cases witnessed. To be
near the practice and night calls, it
would be useful to tow our caravan
to my chosen practice in North
Tawton. It would need a powerful
car to tow our heavy old 4 wheel
van. On the forecourt of a garage in
Pangbourne we spotted a big old
Talbot 110 with a canvas hood, a
running board and headlamps like
searchlights. It had a pre-selector
gear change on the steering wheel
so that you set the required gear,
double declutched and carried on
your way. There was no choke, but
a contraption called KiGas. This
had to be pumped vigorously at
least ten times and then you tried
to start with the ignition key. If
that did not work, it was out the
front with the starting handle,
which either put your back out
or dislocated your thumb. So by
the time you got it running, you
had forgotten where you were
going, but just felt the need to
go indoors and have a lie down.
But what a magnificent beast it
was to drive. It cost me £110, of
which I had to borrow £100, but
I think they must have seen me
coming because within 6 months
the big end packed up and it was
scrap. Still, it served its purpose
gallantly, towed our caravan
twice and finally, unencumbered
by caravan, carried us and all
our worldly possessions, which
included a pregnant wife, from
Streatley to Sidmouth to my first
job with the big end clanking so
loud that the staff of every garage
on the old A303 came out to cheer
us on our way.
(to be continued) - K. Watson
ts
el
ROSELAND PARC, CORNWALL
ong
onmy
”ft
ing
less
ing
do
nd
one
aktoo
off,
ing
an
ith
and
nd
aks
out
just
ght.
GITTISHAM HILL PARK, DEVON
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94
94
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